Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-09
FL0RIDA'S NEW SENATOR
THE ALLEGED ID All LEADS 10
A BIG EX pIOSION.

Senator Mann Gives His Alleged Iuside
Facts to the Public--The Story Told in
Series OF Affidavits-Ex-G GOV. Biox-
lam Denies That There Ever was "a
Bsrg ain of Any Kind Whatever.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, April 8.--The
Senatorial fgnt at Tallahassee has begun
with q terrific onslaught on the leading
sspirant, ex-Gov. W. d. BJoxham, by the
opposing elements.
This morning the Palatka Daily News
comes forth with alleged proofs OF
deal said TO have been
made some time ago between ex-Goy.
Bloxham and q. Fl. Jones, editor of the
Times-Union of this city. The Evening
Herald of this city also published these
affidavIts with the denial OF eX-Gov. Blox-
ham. When these proofs of the so-called
bargain were made public about the cap
itol to-day it is said the news created
profound sensation and excitement ran
high among the friends and partlsans OF
the two chief contestants, Cows. Bloxham
and Perry.
The publication here this afternoon also
created great interest among the friends
OF the two Governors and all those inter-
and acquaintance OF eX-GoY. BloXham
rely implicitly In his denial; but the gen.
eral opinion seems to be that &. Ii. Jones
did lead ex-Gov. Drew and Senator Mann
to believe that he was the power behind
the throne and had made compact
with ex-Gov. Bloxham by which he
fBloxham) was to be sent
10 the Senate and Mr.. Jones was to pun
the strings. The publication OF these
afidavits and statements will, no doubt,
make the present Senatorial night
- the hottest ever waged in Florida. Fol
lowing is the full text of the matter pub
lished in the Palatka News, as sent TO
that paper from Tallahassee:
(coPY.)
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, April z. 1887.
Hon A. s. Mann, Tallahassee, Ia.
My DEAR SIR: You have doubtless noticed
that the Times-UnIOn has frequently ana
emphatically denied that its editor. Charles
II. Jones. has ever declared that an agree
ment for the control of the offices and the
patronage of the State existed between him
self and ex Gov. W. ID. Bloxham. The read
ing people of the State are DESTROYS OF the
proofs. In the pending election of United
States Senator it is possible thai knowledge
of all the facts may determine the votes Of
some OF the members. 1t therefore seems 10
me the proper time for the proofs OF the
statements of Mr.. Jones to be given TO the
MAHLoN GORE.
(CoPY.)
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. April Z, 1887.
,1fahlOn Gore. EaQ., tallahassee, l0.:
DEAR SIR: fully agree with the senti-
ments Of your letter OF this date, and here
with hand you my AFFIDAVIT covering the mat
ter, which you are at liberty to use as you may
deem proper. Yours truly, A. 5. MANN.
(CoPY.)
STATE OF FLORIDA, COUNTY OF LEON: Per-
sonally appeared before me Austin 5. Mann,
of Hernanuo county, State of Florida. who,
after being duly sworn, depOses and says that
some time In the early part of the month of
January, A. d. 1877. he had conversation
- with one Charles II. Jones. editor of the
Tmes-UnIon, at his office, IN Jacksonville,
Fla, in relation to the selection Of the next
United states Senator for the State of Flori-
ia. Much TO my surprise. Mr.. Jones strong
1y urged the election OF ex-Gov. William ID
Bloxham. TIE reason why l was sur
-prised at his attitude was that IN former
conversation with him upon the same sub
ject he seemed to be bitterly opposed tC
Bloxham. alleging as his reason that on ac.
count of BloXhams relations to the Disstor
Company that company was backing up the
Jacksonville Morning News. He explained
his attitude, however, by stating that
through Bloxham, he had made a demand
that the DlsstOn Company Withdraw its sup
port and assistance from the Morning News,
and which demand that company had agreed
: TO concede.
1 then asked him what he (Jones) coulC
expect In return for his support OF Gov
BloAham, whereupon he replied that thI
Bourbon element had taken up Gov. Perry
and deserted BloXham. and that he tBloX
ham) was willing to ally himself with thu
progressive element of the Democracy, tina
the support of the Times-U MON would Civ,
us and our friends the benefit of such patron
age as BloXham. as Senator. could control
and that in addition to this BlONham woul,
unite himself with the progressive Demo
racy in controlling the future poll
tics and patronage Of the state. Dir Jone
further stated that already he had perfec
understanding with BloNham to the eileC
that AIR. BloXham would support our candI
date FOR Governor for the next term, and ais
for Senator Cal's successor in the Unlte'
States Senate when his term shOu expire
and that BloXnam, as soon as elected was 4
antagonize Gail in Washington and give hi
support to some one whom we might agre
upon as Call's successor.
l asked BIN how he could depend upon tn
faithful performance OF this agreement
wnereupon he replied that he didn't transac
business in a loose way. that he had it il
black and white, and tnat BloXham dldn'
dare to go back upon tine agreement so long
as such an instrumenwas in possession Of tn
Tmes-Unlon. (Signedj A. 5. MANN.
Eubscrlbed and sworn to in the city OF ITALIA
'-.a haseee, county of Leon and State o
[sEAL.l Florida, before me, the seventh da
of April, A. A. 1857.
Signed W. W. McGRIFF.
Justice OF the Peace.